Film roles that pave the way for politics

RemaNilakantan

Tamil cinema produces a rash of movies
where the male lead is a roughneck who cares about the poor. Such roles are a
stepping stone for a career in politics.

There are
no two opinions aboutthe fact that
cinema has a cult following in Tamil Nadu. The cinema crazy audiences of this
State idolize actors and actresses even to the extent of building temples
dedicated to them such as the one for the actress Kushboo.Popular personalities of the screen are
given titles such as‘Makkal Thilakom’
(Crown of the masses), ‘Nadikar Thilakom’ (Crown of the actors), ‘Elaya Dalapathi’
(Young Prince) and so on.Most male
actors of the day strive for such titles,and selectscripts with an eye
toextending their image as men of the
masses, for that is what sells. According to some estimates there are nearly 50
lakh people thronging to the theatres everyday in Tamil Nadu, mostly belonging
to the lower income brackets, who in film parlance are the masses.

This cultivated image building is
achieved by playing characters that work for the upliftment of the downtrodden.
For the majority of the poor, their thickest foes are the rich. The moviemakers
carefully exploit this.

Rajnikanth is one of the most
popular figures of Tamil Nadu, both on screen and otherwise. He owes his
tremendous popularity to the roles enacted by him, where he played characters
who worked to promote the well being of the poor.His recent venture, Babarevolves around him and can be considered as an exercise in
introspection by the actor. The film combines a mix of politics and
spirituality. We have Baba (Rajni) whiling away his time in the company of
friends, drink and beedis before he wakes up to a spiritual summons. Though the
film was expected to reveal some of his future plans vis-à-vis politics, the
actoras yet seems to be largely
undecided on that front.

Closing matching Rajnikanth in
terms of fan following in Tamil cinema is the inimitable Kamlahasan. His
versatility is displayed by the wide range of characters that he has etched.
The movie Nayakan, directed by Mani Ratnamwith Kamlahasan playing the lead role, could be called a classic.
The part of Velu Naikar who is a saviour of the poor was played to perfection
by the actor. This movie won him rave reviews as well as his National Award for
the Best Actor. Devoid of any frills, the film remarkably portrayed the ills of
the modern society. The hero stands up for the rights of the poor even at all
odds.

Playing a rowdy with a golden
heart seems to have caught on the fancy of the current generation of actors.
Every third film of today has the lead actor depicted in this manner. Sporting
a beard or stubble, a tonsured head and with a handkerchief knotted around
their necks, they deliver painstakingly written, hard-hitting one-liners. And,
not to be avoided, is the cigarette, or its desi version, the beedi. These
characters collectively bring back smoking into fashion. They attempt to reform
others, but blissfully blow out smoke fumes! But, who ever said practise what
you preach?

They invariably wear a
characteristic scowl to establish their roughness. But, in between all the
preaching and fist fighting, these characters find time to dance and romance in
exotic locales. Keeping company with pretty damsels, often imported from
Bollywood adds that extra sizzle and spice. Clothed in designer apparel, they
execute the dancing drill to stomach-churning lyrics and some foot-tapping beats.

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